2019 Bramante Cosimi Brunello di Montalcino 750 ml

There are a lot of reasons why the 2019 Bramante Cosimi Brunello should cost more than it does. 

First, the score: 95 points from Tuscan expert James Suckling, a man who made his name as Wine Spectator’s main Italian reviewer. He called it “seamless and beautiful,” thanks to “very fine tannins that run the length of the wine and integrate fabulously.”

Next, the year: Vinous called 2019 “the vintage we’ve all been waiting for,” and Kerin O’Keefe said “I’ve never tasted so many drop-dead-gorgeous young Brunellos from a single vintage.”

Finally, the terroir and the production size: Bramante Cosimi is made by winemaker Rudy Cosimi from his family’s estate, Il Poggiolo, which sits west of Biondi-Santi ($280) and just north of Le Ragnaie ($85). It’s an absolutely prime location south of the town of Montalcino. 

In 2019, a rainy spring teed up the vines for the summer, which turned out hot and dry, but without any vine-stressing heat spikes. Compared to recent years past—when temps topped 104 degrees—July was relatively mild, with some mid-month showers (and a few in August) providing relief. A warm September put the grapes on a glide path to harvest, and by the time the call came to pick, vintners were dancing the Tarantella.

With 5/5 stars from Decanter, 98 points from Wine Spectator, and praise from every corner of the wine world, the 2019 vintage is being feted as a modern classic. The Bramante Cosimi was aged for two years in large French oak casks, and since then has been slowly polished by time in bottle. Its structure will allow it to age, but the polished tannins make it delicious right now.